Dive Site: Nohoch Nah Chich

About Nohoch Nah Chich

Nohoch Nah Chich, meaning "Giant Birdhouse" in Mayan, is a significant cenote within the Tulum Municipality of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It forms a crucial part of the Sistema Sac Actun, which holds the title of the world's longest surveyed underwater cave system, a connection confirmed in 2018 when it linked with Sistema Dos Ojos. Nohoch Nah Chich itself was once recognized as the world's longest underwater cave, having been extensively explored since its discovery in 1987 and growing annually until 2010 through dedicated exploration teams. This site is known for its anchialine nature, connecting to naturally intruding marine water and exhibiting tidal influence, with evidence of large volumes of groundwater flowing towards the nearby Caleta Xel-Ha coastal lagoon. The dive site offers diverse underwater topography, including a cavern line newly installed in November 2024 for recreational divers, intended to be the world's longest. Certified cave divers can explore the intricate cave sections, navigating through a subterranean world filled with impressive speleothems like stalactites and columns. While caverns provide clear views of natural light, the true cave environments immerse divers in darkness, revealing unique geological formations and ancient fossils preserved for millennia. The maximum recorded depth within the Nohoch Nah Chich historical section is 71.6 meters, found at a point known as "The Blue Abyss." Though not explicitly detailing specific marine life species unique to Nohoch Nah Chich itself, cenotes in the region are generally known for life forms adapted to lightless environments. User sightings within cenotes can include catfish, freshwater shrimps, perch, turtles, and freshwater crayfish, though the frequency and presence at this specific site are not detailed beyond general cenote wildlife. The cenote also features a snorkeling trail with air pockets and domes for surface exploration. Diving here typically involves either guided cavern dives accessible to open water divers or advanced cave dives for certified technical divers. Entry is facilitated by ladders for safe water access. Divers are advised to swim right upon entry towards a large overhang, where a surface swim of about 30 meters leads to the descent point. The new cavern line offers a structured path for exploration, while cave diving requires specialized training and equipment, differing significantly from cavern diving by venturing beyond natural light zones and allowing for greater depths and no-decompression limits.